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.

Mutual Aid -by Ian Love-Jones (OR)

For all that caring and kindness requires of us, the returns are beyond measure. Because one of those many returns is the restoration of hope. In times when aggression, hatred, and deception call out loudly for our attention, and awe, offers of aid restore our hope, and our faith in one another. Mutual aid reminds us of our capacity, with all of our varied talents and resources, to be there for one another in times of personal need.

A Resplendent Display: An argument for Regalia and its importance -by Aiden Brink

In those early years regalia looked a little bit different than it did today, in fact Odd Fellows were in the habit of wearing both collars, sashes, and aprons. You can find many examples of beautifully decorated aprons and collars from the early years of our order, which demonstrate in their intricate designs the care and regard with which their owners held OddFellowship.

Member Retention Seminar -by Toby Hanson, PGM, PGP

We’ve all had the experience of people coming to join the lodge only to leave after the Initiation and never come back. I have collected some suggestions from various sources to help keep those members engaged so they will continue to attend lodge meetings and events and become valued, regular members.

The Covenant of Friendship -by Aiden Brink

While standardized benefits are largely gone at this point, caring and helping one another surely should not be. For my part, one of our senior members can no longer mow his lawn, so I have been going out each week to mow and clean up. I never would have known that he needed help had I not reached out to him, the structures we have in place had failed.

How has Odd Fellowship Changed You? -by Ian Love-Jones

Some members entered Odd Fellowship with Odd Fellow’s values already firmly intact. I hope that statement did not cause a collective gasp, because I’m about to wade in further into that idea.

It’s unlikely that someone was drawn to Odd Fellowship because they had no concept of Friendship, Love, and Truth, community, or sharing – and simply wanted to celebrate those values for the very first time.

The Odd Fellow Academy of Sweden: It’s Origins And Purpose -by Bro. Torbjörn Andersson

The Odd Fellow Academy, which is directly subordinate to the Grand Lodge of Sweden, deals with questions about the past, present and future. As the Odd Fellow Order in Sweden grew, it became increasingly clear that a central documentation of what had happened and is happening within the Order was needed to help out with and gather information […]

Making Your Lodge Discoverable -by Toby Hanson, PGM, PGP

Some of the fancier and more modern lodges embraced the new-fangled fad of electric lights on the side of their halls to advertise which branch was meeting upstairs. Lodges of today need to embrace the modern equivalent of those fancy electric lights to let their communities know that they exist and are open for new members to come in.

Keeping It Simple (Through the Complexities) -by Ian Love-Jones

This writing is not about doing away with those valuable, and sometimes even critical complexities. Those structures and business processes help a great deal with elevating voices, keeping lodge doors open, lights on, charities funded, and member efforts organized. As we navigate those complexities though, it’s important to remember the simpler spirit of Odd Fellowship.

Trouble At The Top -by Toby Hanson PGM, PGP (WA)

I’ve heard so many stories from new members who have to battle older, more entrenched members who have grown complacent and no longer care to follow the Code or their jurisdictional constitution. While I can and do empathize with those who have carried the burden of keeping a charter on the wall for many years, their actions are often detrimental to the survival of the lodges they have worked so hard to preserve.

The Family We Choose -by Ian Love-Jones

For me, the real difference between being related, and being chosen family, is in that action of choice.
Being related is passive because while we know in our minds that we have common ground, that common ground may have limited meaning in our hearts.