Author: Ainslie

Ainslie is a Tattoo Artist and owner of Vintage Karma in Tuscola, IL. He is an Odd Fellow and founding member and Past Grand of Tuscola #316 which is right above the tattoo studio. Ainslie is also a member of Owl Creek Rebekah #91, Champaign Encampment #68, and Zonar Canton #18, all of Fisher, IL. He is also on the Grand Lodge of IL IOOF Web Committee and the Sovereign Grand Lodge Communications Committee and built/maintains their websites and Facebook Pages and is a founder of the Heart in Hand blog. When he is not tattooing or Odd Fellowing he built/maintains the official website and Facebook page for guitarist G.E. Smith and helps keep the fans connected.

But What Do You DO? -by Toby Hanson, PGM, PGP

When it comes to explaining Odd Fellowship to people not familiar with fraternalism, it’s a challenge. The two most common modes of explaining the Order to others are either 1) comparing it to certain *other* fraternal groups (of the apron-wearing persuasion, usually) or 2) talking vaguely about community service and listing off some of our bigger charitable partners or a couple of local lodge activities.

The Initiatory Degree: A Love Story- By Michael Greenzeiger PGM (CA)

I decided that it was time to restore the Initiatory Degree to its rightful place as a shining jewel in the diadem of Odd Fellowship. In this, I enlisted the help of my other love, my wife Linnea who is my partner in Odd Fellowship as in my life… We searched far and wide and got our hands on every versions of the Initiatory Degree we could put our hands on.

Changes in the I.O.O.F. of California- by Rodney Metoyer Grand Rep. (CA)

Let’s revisit change as we have two controversial issues facing the Order today, that were submitted by a member. The first is to remove the Supreme Being from our Code. The second is to remove the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”) from the Ritual.

“Odd fellows Symbolic Vanitas” New Art by Ainslie Heilich

I am proud to introduce the latest art project for the Good of the Order, the “Odd Fellows Symbolic Vanitas”. Scroll down for the link to order items from Zazzle.

1954-55 GL of OH Official Guide for DDGMs and School of Instruction

I recently picked up this little guide book on eBay. I love buying old IOOF pamphlets and booklets mostly because I can build my library of visual elements that might come in handy. Sometimes the content is the same information we already have access to, but sometimes I get lucky and the content is worth sharing.

This is one of those lucky finds. The explanations of duties are clearly written and very informative and there is a bonus detailed “Charter Draping Ceremony”.

An Odd Fellows Christmas Carol

Young Tim Cratchit had, somewhat reluctantly, finally given in to his father’s pleadings to “just come check it out” and had decided to apply. When the time came to initiate him, Bob requested the lodge do as close to the full initiatory degree as possible instead of what they usually did, which was merely watching the video degrees and then unceremoniously draping a white collar around Timmy’s neck.

How We Saved The Lodge In Wenatchee

Everything seemed like it was going along well for Prosperity Lodge #301…. until Covid reared its ugly head. That wasn’t the only problem, however. Personality conflicts and disputes over the meeting time and other issues started tearing the lodge apart. When the meetings stopped in March 2020 the lodge looked like it was done for.

Burying the Dead- by Kaitlyn L. Osman

In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), we have several mission statements. The one I am personally drawn to the most is “Bury the Dead.” In modern times, this mission has somewhat fallen wayside. However, I believe by using the international Odd Fellows platform to help spread awareness about the importance of burying the dead, as well as utilizing all the modern options available, we could completely revolutionize the death industry.

Growth Mindset -by Toby Hanson PGM, PGP

The hand-wringing keeps coming up: young people just aren’t joiners; nobody wants to be an Odd Fellow anymore; we don’t have the members we used to. But is that an accurate picture of Odd Fellowship and does it take into account the huge potential for growth going forward?

Rethinking Role of Chaplain -by Billy Sanderson and Eric Bramble

Brother Eric Bramble is perfectly positioned to use his special personality and FLT tuned mind in role of Chaplain…When he finishes his devotion to the principles of Friendship, Love and Truth is so strong, and crystal clear that there are moments when his own emotions strike him in the heart producing a flutter in his voice followed an “Amen” shouted by a brother in the room.

Promoting Odd Fellowship -by Toby Hanson PGM, PGP

In my musical career, if nobody knows what I do or how to get ahold of me, nobody will hire me. The same thing applies to Odd Fellowship. If nobody knows who we are or what we do, nobody will be filling out applications to join. Following that analogy, we should promote Odd Fellowship. That brings up a couple of questions, though: what exactly are we promoting? To whom? If the promotion is successful, how can potential members get in touch with our lodges? Each level of the Order can have a positive effect on our promotional efforts as long as we coordinate those efforts at every level.

The Initiatory Supreme Being Question: Esoteric, Philosophical, and Religious Considerations -by Vincent st. Clare

An important question is asked of candidates attempting to join I.O.O.F. lodges before they attend their Initiatory degree ritual, the ritual that will prospectively make them into members of the lodge which is providing the degree. This question regards their belief in a supreme being, and in this essay I’d like to examine this question and all of its terms and see if we can’t tease out some esoteric, philosophical, and religious speculations, considerations, and thoughts on the matter.