In my studies of the many different social clubs, fraternal orders, and civic groups that we as humans partake in, I have found a sense of pride in the fact that Oddfellowship still exists today! It might not be as prominent as the Masons and their appendages but indeed……still here. While membership is no where near what it used to be we are actually on the rise due to freethinking, adventurous, young bloods such as myself and the brothers who also contribute to this blog, accompanied by the wisdom and tutelage of our senior members who came before us….I am grateful for the brothers I have made in Oddfellowship especially within the IOOF being that I’m in the Grand United Order or GUOOF for short. I’m sure by now we all know the story but if not I’ll be glad to post again about our humble beginning in 1843.One thing I encountered is that in our current state, we are not where we would like to be……I’ve concluded that in 2017 both orders could use eachother for strength!
I say that to say this, are we both so caught up in the past that we cannot evolve? I might be considered outta pocket to elders from both sides but….Am I crazy for wanting our Orders to come together? I’m aware that this is a daunting task that would take lots and lots of planning, debating, discussions, but aren’t we worth it ???
I for one am all for taking our history seriously and never would my intention be to change the past (it’s impossible), but I am for creating a new pathway towards amity and truly living in the bond of Friendship Love and Truth!
We can’t take those three words on face-value, we must represent them,embody them, live through them….How can we expect the world to take us seriously when we can’t get past visitation or even recognition? A proud Oddfellow should be exactly that….I am pushing to be the example of righteousness and voice of reason to whoever will listen but I am only one voice.
I don’t wish to be a misfit or “odd” to the oddfellows but I believe that we have a chance to make a great thing greater by way of full-on interrelationships or knocking down the wall separating us . Although I am joining both orders, I can only dream for now of someday attending a lodge that says “American Order of Oddfellows” or “Grand Independent Order of OddFellows”……what say you fellows?
Bro. Supreme Page Warden/Public Relations Florence lodge 2212
Florence
Heart in Hand 
It s a Grand idea!
For our Solano County Fair in California, Im curating an information booth for IOOF. In my research, I discovered that the GUOOF had Golden Gate Lodge 2006 but I am unable to find where this California Lodge took hold.
I would like to speak to fair goers about our interesting history, especially the great stories which illustrate our California grown character(s) and humor.
In FL&T
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I recently entered into odd fellowship (IOOF #38). Is there somewhere online I can learn about the differences between the two orders? Thank you for your work, brother!
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Welcome to the Odd Fellows! While there is no definitive source on the differences between the IOOF and GUOOF you can do some research of your own on archive.org which is a great resource for historical materials. The rituals, symbols, and regalia are somewhat different but still lead back to the same awakening to FL&T.
I hope that helps!
In FL&T
Ainslie
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I am new to this group, My lodge is probably the only one in History to go from and IOOF to GUOOF. We did this about ten plus years ago. I myself like the GUOOF and to be honest it has been a better fit for my Lodge. Much more inviting, tolerant, and receptive to new ideas while maintaining proud traditions. Also much easier as a younger working man to attend big events and they are usely held on weekends or a Friday Afternoon Saturday schedule. This way you can participate with out losing all your vacation time. With that said however I fully support some kind of recognition between the two Orders. I have always said an Odd Fellow is an Odd Fellow. Our Lodge being in East Central Florida we have members from both Orders. Members that winter in Florida that belong to an IOOF back home, happily join our Lodge as it is the only Odd Fellows Lodge in the area. All these brothers that have been exposed to both Orders as members enjoy the differences and relish in the History. So while it would be difficult I agree with my dear Brother Paige that some type of recognition just makes sense.
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You must be a Harry Marsh Brother! Welcome. Yes all of us here at Heart in Hand support establishing formal recognition between our Orders and applaud our “Double Odd” Brothers for leading that charge, especially Jimmy Humphrey PSGM who has been fighting for this for many years.
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Thanks for the Welcome and yes I am a brother of the Infamous or Famous (depends which way you look at it) Harry Marsh Lodge LOL. Like the group and thanks for all your work promoting Odd Fellows.
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Great post! I hope to get the IOOF and GUOOF connected in Virginia! Visitations at the minimum, maybe sponsor some events together, etc. Lots of ideas running through my head….
FLT
Nick
Chester #281
Chester, Virginia IOOF
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