BROTHERHOOD

It is said, “In the Ordeal, the Order of the Arrow accepts the new member. In the Brotherhood, the individual accepts the lodge and the ideals of the Order.” As an Ordeal member of the lodge, service to the troop/crew is of utmost importance. Brotherhood membership in the lodge can be attained after completing ten months as an Ordeal member, and gaining an understanding of the lodge program. Advancement to Brotherhood membership is a personal decision, and we recommend that you look over the information on this page, and then refer to your Order of the Arrow Handbook for further detail.

Where/When?

Brotherhood Enrichment Classes and Ceremonies are held at Ordeals, Fellowships, Section Conclave, Summer Camp, many district Camporees and Webelos Woods, as well as at other special times announced by the lodge. All weekend camping events ran by the lodge have a brotherhood ceremony. Go to the calendar to find the next ceremony. 

Requirements for Brotherhood Membership

  • Be an Ordeal member for at least ten months.
  • Be an active member of your Scout unit.
  • Be an active, paid member of Ma-Nu Lodge.
  • Write a letter to the Lodge Secretary.
  • Pay the Brotherhood fee.
  • Participate in a Brotherhood Enrichment class and Brotherhood Ceremony.
  • Know the signs that show your membership within the Order of the Arrow:
    • The Obligation
    • The Admonition
    • The OA Song
    • The OA Handclasp
    • The Sign of Ordeal Membership

To gain a better understanding of the Ordeal, review these questions:

  • How did I provide service to my camp?
  • What did I do well, not so well?
  • What did I learn about myself?
  • What did I learn about others?
  • What positive personal experience did I have during my Ordeal?
  • What can I do to make sure others have similar, positive experiences?
  • What did I learn from the ceremonies?
  • How can I use what I learned to benefit my unit?

Once you have reviewed the above items, thought about what you have learned, done, and planned to do, write a letter to the Lodge Secretary.

The Letter

Once you feel prepared to attain Brotherhood Membership, you must write a letter to the Lodge Secretary that includes the following:

Explain what you think the Obligation means.
Describe how you have been fulfilling this obligation in your troop/team and in your daily life, and how you have used your understanding of the ordeal to aid in this service.
Describe your specific plans to give service in the lodge program.

You may use the Member Information Sheet (MIS) to prepare this letter – Click Here