Disability, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Race, Resolution No. 5!

(Italics, red letters, boldface is used by author of this post to HIGHLIGHT important parts of the code in this first section) From the IOOF Code of Laws: “Resolution No. 5 – 2017 – by unanimous consent – adopted Thursday the 24th August 2017 The Executive Committee of The Sovereign Grand Lodge moved the following, […]

Communication Breakdown – by Seth Anthony

Let’s face it, with the average age of our membership, the most effective method to reach all of the Odd Fellows in Sovereign Grand Lodge is through a paper publication. It’s the single best way our leadership has to communicate to all of members. Yet, I’m willing to bet the vast majority of our Brothers and Sisters opt out of this communications device by choosing to not re-subscribe. By doing so, they are choosing to turn off communications with our national leadership, which in turn disconnects them from the fraternity.

Where is Your Lodge’s Focus – by Toby Hanson DGM

Since I joined the Executive Committee of the Grand Lodge of Washington upon my election as Grand Warden, I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of traveling and visiting lodges in my jurisdiction. The experience has taught me a lot about the workings of various different lodges. One of the most important things I’ve picked up in my travels is that some lodges tend to have more of an internal focus and some have more of an external focus.

Odd Fellowship and a View of Urban America

Do you hate living in the city? Or do you live in the country and you’re glad you don’t live in the city? Even though country living may be seen as the ideal by some, the truth is, the United States is becoming more urban each decade. There has been a decline in rural population […]

Community Bonds Have Withered

THE BONDS OF OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE WITHERED Odd Fellows research is clear: there is a decline of community in our modern era. Odd Fellows recognize that modern society is eroding many forms of community life, social attachments, and a shared sense of comradeship, unity, and support. Some research has indicated a decline in community […]

Do You Have a Plan? by Toby Hanson DGM, WA

In any organization there’s something called “institutional knowledge:” the knowledge inherent in the institution which is necessary to the function of the organization. This can be anything from procedural information, like how to file reports, to where supplies are stored or what day the garbage is picked up. In Buckley #75, all of our institutional knowledge was invested in only one person and, when she passed away, that knowledge was lost. Now we’re going through the difficult and time-consuming process of rebuilding that store of knowledge.

GUOOF: Looking back at 175 years of excellence, then looking forward… -by Bro. Supreme Page

I reflect on the fact that today marks our 175th anniversary of existence in this country !!!! Hmmm….. I am not even sure where to go with my thoughts on the subject matter being that we have done so much with so little light shined upon us that we have nearly secreted ourselves to death ! I am grateful for the brethren I meet as I travel this path carrying the torch of #Oddfellowship into the next 175 years.

REPOST: IOOF Grand Lodges That Don’t Have A Website.

(This article was first posted in June of 2017. If your state has since gotten a website for its Grand Lodge, PLEASE LET US KNOW. We plan on reposting this same article for a while to emphasize how important it is to have a web presence. C’mon GL’s, let’s get online! 😉 ) Occasionally, our […]

Frustrated With Your Lodge? Start Over.

Frustration. It’s one of the key elements that can alert you to the fact that your needs aren’t being met. Have you become frustrated with your current lodge? Is the leadership not what you hoped for? Does the lodge leadership refuse to adapt to modern times, or to modernize? Is there so much infighting that […]

Mind the (Generational) Gap

In England, the London Underground has a famous phrase, “MIND THE GAP”, that is played over the PA system and is emblazoned on the edge of the station platforms. This now iconic warning is to remind passengers stepping on or off of the trains to look down and make sure they aren’t stepping out into thin air, as many of the station platforms are curved and therefore create a large divide to step over. As Odd Fellows, we have our own gap to mind. The generational one.

Hoodwink How To -by Scott Robinson

Scott Robinson Lewisburg, PA Lodge No. 96 http://www.iooflewisburg.org scottr@iooflewisburg.org I have been looking for a source of hoodwinks for some time. Originals are too fragile and expensive, modern steam punks are way too expensive and need to be custom made. While I was at Harbor Freight, I bought a set of el-cheapo welding goggles…$4.99 for […]

Let’s Put Pride and “WOW” Back in Our Degree Ceremonies – by Scott Robinson

Scott Robinson Lewisburg, PA, No. 96 When I joined the Odd Fellows, I looked forward to my Initiation night! I was excited, and nervous. I looked forward to taking part in the same mysterious ceremony that my ancestors were in many years ago. I was thrilled to be a part of that tradition, mystery, and […]