Brotherhood Membership - Experienced Service

The second level of membership in the Order of the Arrow is referred to as the "Brotherhood" membership. All Ordeal members are eligible to gain this membership. The requirements are really very simple. Unlike the Ordeal induction which takes an entire weekend, the Brotherhood process takes only a few hours. It can easily be completed in an afternoon! But more importantly, once achieved, a Brotherhood member has a much better understanding of what the Order really stands for and how they can become better Scouts and Arrowmen.

If you have been an Ordeal member at least ten months, or will have been in the near future, please sign up and complete the Brotherhood induction at the earliest possible date. Our lodge strives to achieve Quality Lodge status each calendar year. One of the requirements centers on Ordeal members becoming Brotherhood members. We need you to become Brotherhood!

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT CAMP BUNN: If you plan to attend a Brotherhood ceremony at Camp Bunn during summer camp (Friday night), you must notify the camp chief by Tuesday evening, or the Scout Office by noon on Wednesday. It is very important that we know you are going to Camp Bunn for this purpose so that we ensure a ceremony will be held. If no candidates are identified by noon Wednesday, we may not have a Brotherhood ceremony on Friday!

What is "Brotherhood" membership?

Who is eligible to become a "Brotherhood" member?

When can I complete the Brotherhood induction?

What does it cost & do I have to register in advance?

What do I have to do to complete Brotherhood requirements?

Are there any materials to help me prepare?



Question: What is "Brotherhood" membership?

Brotherhood membership is the second of three levels of membership or recognition available to Arrowmen. Some members call completion of the Brotherhood "sealing your membership" or "completing the Ordeal". Both are basically correct.

Brotherhood is a chance for you to refresh in your mind what was learned at the Ordeal and perhaps to clarify questions. It is a chance to rededicate yourself to the principles of the Order and as a way to indicate your commitment both to the Order and to your peers who elected you. Unlike the Ordeal induction, Brotherhood induction can be a fairly rapid process requiring a few hours effort and an afternoon or evening ceremony. You have already proven yourself worthy through the Ordeal you endured. Brotherhood is a time of personal commitment. Upon completion you receive a new sash marked with Brotherhood "bars" to signify your commitment. All members should aspire to become Brotherhood as soon as is practical.


Question: Who is eligible to become a "Brotherhood" member?

Any Ordeal member of Illinek lodge is eligible if they have been a member at least ten months. You must be a currently registered member in the Boy Scouts of America and Illinek Lodge with your dues paid for the current year. Adults and youth alike are encouraged to complete the Brotherhood requirements.

While we strongly encourage attaining Brotherhood the year after you are inducted to the Ordeal, we sometimes find former members who become involved in Scouting after many years inactivity. There is no time limit on completing the Brotherhood. We have had individuals who got involved with a son or grandson who is going through the Ordeal, and who decide that they wanted to set an example by doing their Brotherhood - although it had been more than forty years since their own Ordeal! We don't encourage waiting that long, but if you have, you can still complete the Brotherhood!


Question: When can I complete the Brotherhood induction?

Illinek Lodge typically has nine opportunities to complete the Brotherhood each year. Check the lodge calendar for specific dates and times. We hold one on the Saturday afternoon of each Ordeal weekend beginning about 1:30pm. We also typically offer Brotherhood induction each week at Camp Bunn during summer camp (please refer to the special notes in the next section of this page concerning summer camp induction.), typically on Friday evening after the Family Night campfire program (roughly at 9:30pm). Brotherhoods held on a weekend usually are completed by 4:30pm. On summer camp nights, they are done by 10:30pm. We also often have a "Brotherhood Day" in early December for any candidates wishing to do the ceremony, which we schedule like an Ordeal weekend.


Question: What does it cost & do I have to register in advance?

The cost for Brotherhood is only $16.00 to cover the cost of your new sash. If you need to pay your dues or would like to pay them for the coming year, just add $12.00 for dues. PLEASE register in advance at the Council Service Center, or if at Camp Bunn, by notifying the Camp Chief by Tuesday evening. While we can handle "walk-in" candidates at the Ordeal weekends, we cannot easily do so at Camp Bunn during the summer or for Brotherhood Day. If there are no candidates identified during a particular week at Camp Bunn or for Brotherhood Day, we may not have a Brotherhood ceremony! Our ceremonies team has to travel some distance. Travel is expensive but they are glad to do it. But if nobody shows up to do the induction, it is a waste of their time and money! Simply, if we don't know in advance, that you are coming, there may not be a ceremony. PLEASE LET US KNOW IN ADVANCE OF YOUR PLANS!


Question: What do I have to do to complete Brotherhood requirements?

I'm glad you asked! That you are reading this section is the first step; you are interested. The next few steps are simple and will only require a few hours effort. It is that easy.


Question: Are there any materials to help me prepare?

Yes there are! Best of them all, is the OA "Jumpstart" multimedia presentation which you can access below. There is also a "Brotherhood Questionnaire" that gives you a one page question and answer format study guide. And of course there is your OA handbook and the "Illinek New Member Guide" provided to newly inducted Ordeal members. All contain a wealth of information.

Don't be intimidated by the questions. The goal is to understand what you did in the Ordeal and what the OA is all about! Other than the obligation, song and admonition, you are not expected to know the answers word for word. You are expected to be able to explain the answer in your own words sufficiently that we see you understand. Members will be available to help you and go over the questions with you. Typically it is fast and simple.

To safeguard these materials a password is required. You will need your OA Handbook. Or ask a brother to borrow theirs for a moment. If all else fails, contact a lodge officer or the Lodge Advisor. The password is on page 10 of the handbook. Find the title on that page and it is the fifth word of the title.

JUMPSTART Multimedia for new Ordeal members
Illinek Lodge Brotherhood candidate letter of instruction
Brotherhood Questions & Answers for Ordeal Members.