New Member Resources
Congratulations on being inducted into the Boy Scout's of America's National Honor Society. You have just become one of the newest members of the Golden Sun Lodge. The Ordeal weekend through which you have passed was filled with new experiences and a lot of information. To help you better understand and further your knowledge we have compiled resources to assist you. The links below are full of information important to you.
So what just happened?
There have been many events leading up to your membership in the Lodge, and they are all part of a process we call symbolic progression.
Unit Elections
The first step in your induction was your unit election. You were chosen by the members of your unit because of something they saw in you. This was the first indication of your worthiness to be inducted to the Order.
Summer Camp Call-Out Ceremony
The next step in your induction was the Call-Out Ceremony. At this ceremony, you were officially recognized as a candidate. You were taken from the audience of your fellow scouts, and presented before the lodge, where you were called out and recognized as a candidate for membership in the Order.
The Ordeal Experience
When you arrived at our Ordeal, you were curious. Many questions floated in your head. Soon after you arrived, you were introduced to your Elangomat and the members of your clan. The Elangomat would be your friend throughout your Ordeal Experience. He is a member of the Lodge who would experience all the things you would during the Ordeal.
What's in it for me?
The Order of the Arrow has a lot to offer you, from activities to leadership and service opportunities.
Activities
Each activity is promoted in our Lodge Newsletter, The Sundial, which you will now be receiving, as well as the lodge website. Pay attention to the articles in the Newsletter so you don't miss registration deadlines and other important information.
• Lodge Leadership Development Conference
• Fall Fellowship Banquet
• Spring Event
• Summer Camp Call-Out Ceremonies
• Fall Pow Wow
• Section Conclaves
• National Order of the Arrow Conference
What's this OA thing all about?
The Order of the Arrow is known as Scouting's National Honor Society.
Purpose of the Order
• To recognize those campers - Scouts, and Scouters - who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in such a manner as to warrant recognition.
• To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.
• To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit's camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp, as directed by the camping committee of the council.
• To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
Membership
During your Ordeal weekend, you were inducted into the Golden Sun Lodge. Through the Ordeal Ceremony, you became an Ordeal Member. As you were told, you have all of the rights and privileges of the Order of the Arrow. The Order does not have ranks like in Scouting. It has levels of membership. However, these levels do not cause one Arrowman to be superior to another, for we are all brothers.
After you have been active as an Arrowman in the Lodge for 10 months, you are eligible to become a Brotherhood Member. This involves a ceremony similar to that of the Ordeal. The Brotherhood Ceremony builds upon some of the occurrences in the Ordeal Ceremony. This is an important step that you should plan to take. By becoming a Brotherhood member, you seal your membership in the Order. You must meet a few more challenges regarding the customs, tradition, and obligations of the Order.
Each year the Lodge honors several Arrowmen with the Vigil Honor. These individuals are Arrowmen who seem to go above and beyond what a typical Arrowman is expected to do. They have held Brotherhood membership for two years or more. These Arrowmen undergo new tests and a new ceremony before receiving the Vigil Honor. A committee meets each year to nominate the Vigil Honor Recipients. The selections are made based on continuing service and devotion to the Order of the Arrow and Scouting.
Lodge Leadership and the Lodge Executive Committee
The Lodge is lead by several youth Arrowmen who serve as officers, under the guidance of selected, capable adult Arrowmen. Together, these Arrowmen are responsible for conducting the program of the Lodge. Many of these Lodge leaders comprise the Lodge Executive Committee, the decision making body of the Lodge. The LEC is composed of the Lodge Officers, Lodge Advisers, Committee Chairmen, and Committee Advisers.
The officers of the Lodge are the Chief, the Vice-Chief, the Secretary and Treasurer. These Lodge leaders, along with the chairmen of the Lodge Standing Committees and the Chapter Chiefs, are responsible for overseeing and conducting the operations of the Lodge and administering the Lodge program.
There are many opportunities for Leadership in the OA. If you have an interest in becoming more involved in the Lodge Program and are interested in learning about the Order of the Arrow through one of its numerous leadership positions, contact one the Lodge Leaders and discuss it with him. There's a role for every Arrowman in the Order of the Arrow, whether it be an officer, a chairman, or an adviser.
So what's ahead? - The trail to Brotherhood
Your completion of the Ordeal sets you on the start of an exciting adventure. After at least 10 months of active service in the Lodge, you will be eligible to seal your membership with the Order in the Brotherhood Ceremony.
The Ordeal has introduced you to the mysteries of the Order. Now, during your service as an Ordeal member, you have ample opportunity to increase your knowledge of the Order and to make it work for you.
Your brothers in the Golden Sun Lodge stand ready to help you, and you should take advantage of their support whenever possible.
The challenges of Brotherhood membership
You must meet five challenges before you can enter the Circle of Brotherhood. The first of these you should meet now. The next three require steady effort over a period of months. The last challenge you must meet after you are satisfied that you are meeting the first four challenges.
1. Memorize the signs of Order of the Arrow Membership. Memorize the Obligation of the Arrow, which you received from Allowat Sakima. Also, memorize the Order of the Arrow Official Song, the Admonition, the sign of the Ordeal membership, and the Arrow handclasp.
2. Advance in your understanding of the Ordeal. Gain a thorough understanding of the Ordeal through which you have passed.
3. Serve your unit. 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 own troop.
4. Plan for service in your Lodge. Retain your 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 four challenges above, write a letter to your Lodge Secretary.
• Explain what you think the obligation means
• 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.
• Describe your specific plans for giving service in the lodge program (i.e. Serving as a Lodge or Chapter Officer, being on a Dance or Ceremony Team, etc.)
Bring this letter with you to the event, either the Spring Event or the Fall Pow Wow, when you will take the Brotherhood.