🏹 Arrowman 101: Your Guide to the Order of the Arrow

Welcome to the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service! Completing your Ordeal is just the beginning of your journey as an Arrowman. This guide will help you understand what comes next and how to represent the Order of the Arrow (OA) with pride and purpose.

𓆰 I Finished My Ordeal — What Now?

First off, congratulations on completing your Ordeal! You are now a full member of the Order of the Arrow — Scouting’s National Honor Society.

Now that you’ve joined, here’s how to stay active and grow:

  • Get involved: Attend your chapter or lodge meetings, events, and service projects. These are great places to meet fellow Arrowmen and continue the spirit of cheerful service.
  • Stay connected: Follow your lodge’s communication channels (email, Discord, social media, etc.) to stay up to date on events.
  • Serve others: The OA is about leadership through service. Volunteer for lodge events, ceremonies teams, camp service weekends, or unit elections.
  • Represent your lodge: Encourage other Scouts to complete their Ordeal or attend events — the OA thrives when members stay engaged.
  • Plan ahead: After six months of active membership, you’ll be eligible to seal your membership by completing the Brotherhood honor.

⚜️ What Is Brotherhood?

Brotherhood is the next step in your OA journey — a deeper commitment to the ideals of the Order.

  • Purpose: It’s a time for reflection and renewal — to understand the meaning of the OA’s principles and how to live them in daily life.
  • Eligibility: You can complete Brotherhood after six months of active membership following your Ordeal.
  • What to expect: The Brotherhood process includes reviewing the OA’s traditions, learning the Admonition, and participating in a reflective ceremony.
  • Why it matters: Brotherhood isn’t a “higher rank,” but rather a reaffirmation of your dedication to cheerful service and a full understanding of the OA’s purpose.

Think of it as completing your membership — moving from simply being an Arrowman to truly understanding what that means.

🎽 How Do I Wear My Sash?

The sash is a symbol of your membership — wear it with respect and pride, but only at appropriate OA events and functions.

💠 Basic Guidelines:

  • Ordeal Members: Wear the white sash with a single red arrow pointing up over your right shoulder.
  • Brotherhood Members: Adds two red bars; One above and below the arrow.
  • Vigil Honor Members: The sash has a red triangle around the arrow to signify the Vigil Honor.

📍 Where to wear it:

  • OA ceremonies
  • Lodge or Chapter meetings
  • Camporees or Scout events when representing the OA
  • Courts of Honor (if participating as an OA representative)

Do not wear your sash with your uniform at troop meetings, boards of review, or other non-OA events.
Never wear it folded, tied, or as a belt. The sash represents the Arrow — wear it correctly and with dignity.

👕 OA Lodge Flap:
You may wear your lodge flap patch on your uniform all the time, as it signifies you are an OA member — no matter your honor level.

📯 What Are Chapters and When Do They Meet?

The Order of the Arrow is organized into lodges, which are divided into smaller groups called chapters. Chapters usually align with districts within your local council and make it easier for members to stay connected locally.

Each chapter runs its own meetings, events, and service projects, and is a great place to meet other Arrowmen in your area. Attending chapter meetings is one of the best ways to stay active in the OA and find out about upcoming lodge events.

To find your chapter and see when and where they meet, visit your lodge’s chapter information page here:
👉 https://nklodge.org/chapters

🏛️ What Is the LEC and Where Does It Meet?

The Lodge Executive Committee (LEC) is the leadership body that helps plan and guide the activities of the lodge. It’s made up of the Lodge Officers, Chapter Chiefs, Committee Chairs, and Advisers.

All lodge members are welcome and encouraged to attend LEC meetings to learn more about how the lodge operates and to share ideas or feedback. Attending is a great way to stay informed and get involved in leadership roles within the OA.

When: Every Third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM
Where: Click here for directions on Google Maps

Whether you’re interested in leadership, service, or just staying active, the LEC is one of the best ways to make your voice heard in the lodge.

🏕️ The Arrowman’s Path

Ordeal → Begin your journey
Brotherhood → Seal your membership
Vigil Honor → Recognize unselfish service beyond the norm

🌟 Other Key Things to Know

  • Service is the heart of the OA: Look for ways to give back — whether at camp, in your troop, or in the community.
  • Leadership opportunities: You can run for positions in your chapter or lodge, or help on committees like ceremonies, inductions, or service.
  • Fellowship weekends: Fun, food, fellowship, and service! Don’t miss our lodge’s annual events.
  • Stay involved: The OA experience grows as you do. Brotherhood and Vigil are milestones, but cheerful service is a lifelong mindset.

Remember, the Order of the Arrow isn’t about recognition — it’s about living the Scout Oath and Law through cheerful service.