Brotherhood Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brotherhood Membership?

“From the beginning of the Order in 1915, all members have been equal. There are no ranks.  As an Ordeal member, you are entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership in the Order. 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, service, 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 purposes of the Order. Before becoming a Brotherhood member, each Arrowman makes a special effort to serve the troop or team and to learn about the Order. Each Brotherhood member commits to even more service to Scouting through the Order.” – OA Handbook page 47 (2012 Printing).

How Do I Become a Brotherhood Member?

When can I become a Brotherhood Member?

At almost every gathering of the Lodge (minus the Family Banquet), we try to have a Ceremonies Team available to offer the ability for Arrowmen to become Brotherhood Members of the Lodge.

What happens at the event / what is the process of becoming a Brotherhood Member?

Friday at check-in turn in your Brotherhood letter to the Lodge Secretary and make sure that you have registered and paid to be a Brotherhood Candidate.

Friday night there will be a meeting with all of the Brotherhood Candidates to make sure that their letter was turned in. At this meeting, the candidates will be informed of the weekend schedule and what they will be doing.

On Saturday morning all Brotherhood Candidates will be expected to help with the service project – to help them remember the cheerfulness found in arduous labor.

Saturday afternoon there will be a Brotherhood study session where all of the candidates can study together with other Brotherhood members. During this time the candidates can ask questions and get a better understanding of those items they need to know and the Lodge. After the study session, there is a "meeting" to review of the candidate's knowledge of those items the candidate has been asked to understand.

Once this is complete the candidate is ready for the Brotherhood Hike and Ceremony Saturday evening.