The Modern Odd Fellow's Guide
On this episode: Brother Billy Sanderson is a member of Columbia #2 in Victoria, BC. He is presenting on the symbolism of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On Part 2 he discusses the symbolism of the Initiatory Degree. Stay tuned for Part 3! Click Here for Part 1. Click Here for Part 3. No […]
Read More The Ante Room: Ep. 3 (2/3) Odd Fellows Symbolism by Billy SandersonOur forebearers in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows knew that the acts of love and compassion we performed were at the center of our collective identity and were the secret to our growth and success. Somehow, though, we have become increasingly distant from these noble ends and our Order has paid the price, becoming a mere shadow of its former self in terms of size and vibrancy. It didn’t happen all at once, but rather bit by bit until we have found ourselves in a place where many members don’t even know what our aims and principles are, let alone work to carry them out in their communities.
Read More A Remembrance of Mutual Relief – by Michael Greenzeiger, GW CAThe Encampment branch of Odd Fellowship is intended to be the place where more active, more experienced Odd Fellows can come together and share ideas and information with one another. It’s supposed to be a meeting of more advanced Odd Fellows who have gained wisdom from their years of service within the Order. It’s also supposed to be a place where those learned Odd Fellows can pass their knowledge and experience on to younger, newer Odd Fellows. I like to call Encampments the “think tanks” of Odd Fellowship.
Read More Encampments: What Do They Do? by Toby Hanson, PGPOn this episode: Brother Billy Sanderson is a member of Columbia #2 in Victoria, BC. He is presenting on the symbolism of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On Part 1 he discusses the background and function of symbolism as it pertains to Oddfellowship. Stay tuned for Part 2 and Part 3!
Read More The Ante Room: Ep 3 (1/3) Odd Fellows Symbolism by Billy SandersonWe, and I mean everyone, has to be open to accept a disagreement about a tradition we hold dear. (We should not see this an attack on our person, well… unless it is clearly attack on you, but that would be unbecoming of an Odd Fellow for the attacker to do, right?) We should see the disagreement as a challenge to the value the tradition brings, and possibly only some refinement is needed.
Read More What’s so Important About Tradition? -by Billy SandersonThe best and most complete answer to this situation is found within the walls of our lodges. Odd Fellowship has its roots in the need of for self-preservation for the most vulnerable in society. The only means by
which early working families had of blunting the cruel torrents of life was by contributing to mutual aid groups like the Odd Fellows. In our lodges, they found stability in an unfeeling, unstable world. We provided a measure of comfort when difficult times arrived.
Toby Hanson Junior Past Grand Master Grand Lodge of Washington, IOOF Sovereign Grand Musician Independent Order of Odd Fellows Everything you’ve been reading up to this point has been preparing you for this moment when I reveal the deepest, most special, most closely-guarded secret of Odd Fellowship: how to save failing lodges. This is the […]
Read More How to Save Failing Lodges: Secrets Revealed – by Toby Hanson PGMLeadership is a topic which should be of interest to everyone in our Order. Unlike many other types of organizations, Odd Fellowship is a democracy wherein all members in good standing have a say in the governance of the lodge. Not only do the members of the lodge have the final decision on all matters to come before it, but in a well-functioning lodge, all members are encouraged to take a turn in leadership positions and in particular to “move up the line” and become the Noble Grand. This gives our members the opportunity to develop their own interpersonal and organizational skills well beyond what a member might learn in other clubs.
Read More Leadership in the Lodge – by Michael Greenzeiger GW CA“I used to care a lot about my work, but I don’t care as much as I used to.” “I feel like my mind has gotten bored and I’m not learning anything new.” Sometimes in life we become stuck, our jobs seem dull or maybe we feel like we’ve stopped mentally progressing. But, by stepping […]
Read More Your job, Volunteering, and the Halo EffectEveryone who has spent any time with the Order of Business in lodge knows that there’s that line: “Report of the Finance Committee.” Those of us fortunate enough to belong to larger, more active, more informed lodges know all about this mysterious committee and what purpose they serve in the lodge. For the rest of us, though, it’s a mystery. What do they do and why do they do it?
Read More Does your Lodge have an ACTUAL Finance Committee? -by Toby HansonHow to be an Odd Fellow – Protecting the Rights of Our Neighbors By Vanessa O’Connor Mountain View Lodge #244 The Odd Fellows empower members to support those most in need, providing a source of strength within the community. We have always welcomed and comforted those under duress, as it is part of our oath […]
Read More How to be an Odd Fellow – Protecting the Rights of Our Neighbors -by Vanessa O’ConnorOne is often given a solemn warning that he has joined an organization that is far more serious than the Candidate realizes and that their involvement in the Lodge and the Order will unravel the mystery of our beloved Order…Far too often though, this excitement which has been building up in the Candidate both before and after entering our Lodge all but fades after realizing that there is seldom any further discussion of the Ritual that they have participated in.
Read More Have You Started Your Inner Journey? -anonymous