IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES: A lesson in the Golden Rule

THE GOLDEN RULE The Golden Rule dates from at least the Confucious times (550-479 BCE), and can be phrased a few different ways: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Treat others as you would like others to treat you. Do not treat others in a way that you would not […]

Your job, Volunteering, and the Halo Effect

“I used to care a lot about my work, but I don’t care as much as I used to.” “I feel like my mind has gotten bored and I’m not learning anything new.” Sometimes in life we become stuck, our jobs seem dull or maybe we feel like we’ve stopped mentally progressing. But, by stepping […]

Is It Time For An Online Virtual Lodge?

Should Odd Fellowship consider starting Virtual Lodges using online video conferencing? A Virtual Lodge is a lodge that meets exclusively online using a video conferencing platform. These platforms, used worldwide by business, governments, and other organizations, allow people to check into a virtual room with other people to conduct their business. When I was first […]

17 Songs That Make You Think About Odd Fellowship

Matisyahu, Tim McGraw, Drake, Michael Franti, singers from the musical Rent, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Rage Against the Machine, Queen, Luminaries, Black Eyed Peas, Craig Morgan, White Stripes, Aretha Franklin, Bo Diddley, Swedish House Mafia, Bob Dylan. OK folks, these are music videos that can get you thinking about being an Odd Fellow. Some are […]

Diagram of the 1797 Lodge Layout of the Patriotic Order of Odd Fellows

First, the link below should bring up a diagram of a lodge of Patriotic Odd Fellows in 1797: Patriotic Order of Odd Fellows Lodge Layout The documentation I used to support the making of this diagram is the description of the lodge found in the 1797 ritual book. In looking at the diagram of the […]

Following Yourself On The Jericho Road

What if the story of the Good Samaritan is about YOU and your personal suffering? Taken as a whole, The Good Samaritan story can be about your own “inner suffering.” Those nights you are alone and cry yourself to sleep. Your anguish at not being able to achieve your goals, or that nagging addiction part […]

CONSIDER THE POOR, 1845.

CONSIDER THE POOR. (Adapted and edited for the 21st century reader from The Symbol and Odd Fellows Magazine, 1845. I used 19th/early 20th century photos and drawings to keep with the tone of the article) We call the attention of our readers to the following excerpt, from a report, made by the Episcopal city missionary, Bro. […]

DISCRIMINATION AND RELIEVING THE POOR

As we are called to relieve people who are in distress, we need to understand how certain discriminatory laws contribute to making life harder for others and creates problems beyond their control, especially if one is poor. It is very common for such laws to create inequality even today in 21st century societies. Following is […]

Tips For Creating An Effective Social Media Campaign For Your Lodge

If we’re going to continue increasing membership, we need to consider this statement: In order to recruit Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z, we’re going to have to engage them online using social media FIRST. “…using social media FIRST” is an extreme statement, but I mean to sound extreme to challenge some of you to understand the […]

10 Sites To Help Your Lodge Learn About Recruitment

Below are 10 sites that can help give you ideas for recruitment in your lodge! 5 Ways to Attract Young People to Your Nonprofit How To Get People Interested In Your Club Extend An Invitation To Join An Organization 4 Ways To Persuade People To Join Your Startup Effective Student Organization/Recruiting and Membership 11 Effective […]

Is It Time For Your GL to Call It Quits? A Historical View.

The number we keep seeing is 200. We see this number from research conducted by Dedicated Members for Change (God bless ye!), and also mentioned by others on various Facebook posts and direct messages some of us receive. What’s the number 200? The consensus seems to be, that if your jurisdiction has fewer than 200 […]

THE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC: Make Odd Fellows Your Tribe.

A terrific video about why we, in the 21st century, are considered by some to be the loneliest people in world history. This video interview has adult language.