You must meet the five challenges of Brotherhood Membership before you can enter the Circle of Brotherhood. The first, you should meet immediately. The next three you can meet through steady effort over a period of time. The last you can fulfill after you have satisfied the first four. The five challenges of Brotherhood are listed below.
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Memorize the Signs of Arrow 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 Arrow handclasp.
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Advance in your understanding of the Order. Gain a thorough understanding of the Ordeal through which you have passed.
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Serve your unit. Retain your registration and active membership in the Gulf Stream Council, BSA. During a period of at least 6 months, strive to fulfill your Obligation by continuing and expanding your service to your own Troop or Team.
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Plan for service in your Lodge. Retain your registration in Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge and keep your dues paid. Be aware that acceptance of Brotherhood Membership involves a pledge of service to our Lodge. Develop a concrete idea of how you plan to fulfill this pledge.
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Review your progress. When you earnestly feel that you have met the four challenges above, write a letter to our Lodge Secretary.
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In this letter:
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Explain what you think the Obligation means.
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Describe how you have been fulfilling this Obligation in your Troop or Team and in your daily life, and how you have used your understanding of the Ordeal to aid in this service.
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Describe your specific plans for giving service in our Lodge program.
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Please bring your letter to you to the Lodge weekend at which you plan to go through your Brotherhood Ceremony.
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Additionally, soon after submitting your letter, you should register for the weekend.
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This can be done using either the standard registration form or the on-line payment system. The fee for Brotherhood is $22, which covers the cost of your new sash. (Note: your Lodge dues must also be current. If your Lodge dues are not current to the year in which you are completing your ceremony, then you must also pay $15 to update your Lodge dues.)
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Useful Resources
Obligation of the Order of the Arrow
I do hereby promise on my honor as a Scout, that I will always and 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.
Song of the Order of the Arrow
Begins at 0:19
Admonition of the Order of the Arrow
The admonition of the OA is not readily available. This is by design, as it is intended to be known only to those who are members. It is not surprising that you may have forgotten the admonition; the Ordeal ceremony is intended to be the climax of an intense experience, and the exact details of it may not be clear until later. Do not be worried.
Our lodge will assist you in remembering the admonition, which was whispered to you during the Ordeal Ceremony. It will be revealed to you at your Brotherhood Counseling if need be.
Alternatively, you can ask any of the experienced members of the lodge, the ceremonies team, the lodge leadership, or the chapter leadership.
Things to keep in mind for your Brotherhood Counseling
Our Lodge will present you with your Brotherhood level once you have completed the Counseling and participate in a Brotherhood Ceremony. Do not worry if you are struggling with one of the tasks. Our Brotherhood Counselors are more than happy to help you through it.
You should register for your Brotherhood Counseling HERE and pay the fee prior to the event at which you wish to participate in your Brotherhood Counseling and Ceremony. The $20 fee covers the Order of the Arrow Brotherhood Sash.
