James Montgomery, Author of Friendship, Love, and Truth.

James Montgomery may be a poet that influenced some of our ritual. He may have written some of it as well, but he is absolutely the author of the Odd Fellow’s song “Friendship, Love, and Truth.” James Montgomery’s parents were Moravian missionaries, and from County Antrim, in what is now Northern Ireland. After James was […]

Facebook and Political Posts.

It’s political season in the United States. In the lodge, politics and religion are forbidden topics of discussion among members. Outside of the lodge, not so much. Here’s a reminder: THIS is who we are in IOOF: We’re friends! This is who we are NOT: As an Odd Fellow, I do everything in my […]

How to Promote Your Lodge – by Toby Hanson, GM

The easiest way to share the story of Odd Fellowship is person-to-person. When the grocery checker asks if you have any plans tonight, you can answer her by saying that you’re going to your lodge meeting. That’s a great opener for talking Odd Fellowship because it always leads to a question about the lodge. Wearing an identifying piece of clothing like a hat or shirt is another great way to prompt questions about Odd Fellowship. Make sure that you’re able to give a concise, accurate answer when the question comes up…

How AMC Installed a Lodge in Every TV in America, & We Missed It -by Ryan Sumner

I didn’t even realize the show existed, until we were several episodes into the season. I was shocked,”How did we not hear about this? How were Lodges not involved in the marketing? How did our Grand Lodge not notify us of it? Every great movement in history always has echoes in art, fashion, media and lifestyle. The West is in the midst of a revival in Fraternal Orders and we must capitalize on the awareness and exposure!” I had to check it out.

Ainslie Heilich talks ODD on Local News

“We found all this great, old regalia that was hidden up in the crawlspace … Almost like National Treasure, it’s like you start down a path of little bread crumbs and it just kinda ropes you in further and further … and here we are,” says Heilich.

Interview Committees Are Important

Interviewing Committee: A committee appointed to call on applicants for membership, to check their references, to determine the moral character and other qualifications of said applicant and recommend the admission or rejection of said applicants. This committee shall also determine the proficiency of applicants for admission by card in the degrees indicated on the card. […]

The All Seeing Eye and Objective Consciousness

Although pop culture (like the AMC show LODGE 49) idolizes lodge symbolism in general, there is absolutely no way those on the outside can ever understand our symbolism unless they are members of the Order of Odd Fellows. Because no matter how hard they try, they always miss the exact things to which our symbolism points. […]

I Have Never Seen the Righteous Forsaken

King David holds sway over Odd Fellowship, much as King Solomon, David’s son, holds sway over Freemasonry. David is represented in both our Initiatory and First Degrees. In the Initiatory Degree, many believe the Warden plays the role of King David. Others believe the Warden is simply the archetypal wise man. He is old, hard […]

odd fellows and “that fresh cut!”

How you feel when “YOU GET THAT CUT!!,” and become an Odd Fellow! Please visit and LIKE our Facebook page: Heart In Hand Blog on Facebook “The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) will not discriminate against any individual on the basis of disability, age [other than that of minimum to join the Order (lodge, […]

Odd Fellows’ Code of Ethics -By Louie Blake Sarmiento

Odd Fellows’ Code of Ethics By Louie Blake Sarmiento, M.A. Odd Fellows believe in a Supreme Being. They base their thoughts and actions on healthy philosophical principles. They know that life on earth is temporary. They are aware of the vanity of earthly things, the frailty and inevitable decay of human life and the fact […]

What We’d Like To See From Sovereign Grand Lodge

Some of our staff at Heart In Hand have compiled a list of things we’d like to see Sovereign Grand Lodge discuss. Some of these ideas may already be under discussion and we may not be aware of it. Collect data, and use it to develop specific and measurable plans to grow membership. Encourage the SGM […]

Reflections on Being an LGBT+ Odd Fellow.

I would like to think that part of my personal growth through that transition could be attributed to the philosophical lessons our Order teaches and how they can be used as a member of the LGBT+ community. At the end of this piece you will find my interpretation of the Degrees through the lens of the LGBT+ experience.