Living in FLT -by Ian Love-Jones

Decorative regalia and grand titles are woven through the world of fraternalism. Each one of those outwardly visible features can be a meaningful part of the adventure. With that said, someone who only knows about those outward aspects, might wrongly think that our greatest goal and commitment is to be an exalted high mucketymuck, rather than a thoughtful, and honorable person in daily life. The things that show outwardly should be only milestone markers of our personal and professional growth within the Order. The jewels and nifty names are not the goal.

Perspectives on Fellowship -By Ian Love-Jones

I love fellowship because it does so many things. Did you know that fellowship is more than just friendly association? Fellowship goes even deeper than building lasting friendships, and a sense of community. A subtler benefit of fellowship is that it is a multifaceted course of study, a vehicle for the fellows to learn.

The Story of the Steward -By Ian Love-Jones

I’ve noticed that the stories which Odd Fellows seem to love most are the stories of stewards. This is true whether those stewards are sovereigns, seekers, shepherds or supporters, guides or guards, companions, caretakers, or complete outsiders.

The First 90 Days as an Odd Fellow: Elevating Mankind Through Friendship, Love & Truth -By Jesus Paz

In a world obsessed with self-interest, joining this Order is an act of quiet rebellion. You’ve chosen to walk a different path — one built on the foundation of Friendship, Love, and Truth. But how do you live that out in today’s world?

Are You Waiting for Perfection? -by Ian Love-Jones

Odd Fellowship reminds us that our precious days are numbered. I hope you find that message more exciting than ominous, because it’s not meant as a hopeless warning. Instead, it is a loving reminder to all of us that now is the best time to do anything worth doing. If we truly understand that fact, then what holds each of us back from seizing the day

Consider the Orphan -by Ian Love-Jones

Doing the most good with our charge to educate the orphan, is a matter of imagining how broadly that command can apply. Have you considered that not all orphans are children whose parents have died? A person can be orphaned in essence, if during their journey of growth, they are separated from the experienced, protective guides who would have given them a sense of safety, direction, and community. So how can we educate not just orphans in the traditional sense, but orphans of that broader kind?

We Were All Strangers Once -by Ian Love-Jones

I deeply value a world where former strangers can build community with one another and celebrate universal kinship. Wanting to live in and to create that kind of world, was one of the things that first drew me to Odd Fellowship.

What Questions To Ask -by Laurel Delony, PGM, Grand Secretary of Washington

Frequently, lodges don’t do a thorough-enough interview to find out if the candidate should be allowed to join the lodge. To help the process and improve the quality of interviews, I’ve developed a set of questions to help lodges find out more useful information about candidates and spark discussions that can help lodges to make better decisions about candidates.

Ask Me I May Know -By Ian Love-Jones

“Ask me, I may know.” is a warm invitation to others that puts our approachability, and our humble spirit on display. In just one line, that phrase connects two very important qualities – the willingness to share, and the modesty to admit when we don’t know it all.

Where Do You Lead From? -By Ian Love-Jones

Odd Fellows build and maintain programs, speak publicly, coordinate charity, and hold together the connection and direction of their chosen-family. All of that means that Odd Fellows are in unique positions to learn, practice, and demonstrate leadership. Ponder this my friends, where do you lead from, as an Odd Fellow?

De-escalation in the Day to Day -By Ian Love-Jones

If you’re wondering why an Odd Fellow would want to explore the topic of de-escalation, consider that wherever there are humans in community with one another, humans who become strained or burdened by the layered aspects of their lives, there is always a need for de-escalation.

Degree Work Tips -by Aiden Brink

When I first joined my lodge our degree work had much to be desired, it was always haphazard, no one knew which costumes were which, there was always a last minute scramble putting people into each place as needed. Despite this haphazard nature I still fell in love with doing degree work. I began learning parts, not just reading, but actually memorizing and performing. We acquired some nondescript robes and props which gave us more flexibility.