What’s so Important About Tradition? -by Billy Sanderson

We, 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.

Coronavirus and Odd Fellowship -by Toby Hanson PGM WA

The 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.

How to Save Failing Lodges: Secrets Revealed – by Toby Hanson PGM

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 […]

Leadership in the Lodge – by Michael Greenzeiger GW CA

Leadership 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.

Your job, Volunteering, and the Halo Effect

“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 […]

Does your Lodge have an ACTUAL Finance Committee? -by Toby Hanson

Everyone 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?

How to be an Odd Fellow – Protecting the Rights of Our Neighbors -by Vanessa O’Connor

How 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 […]

Have You Started Your Inner Journey? -anonymous

One 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.

The Ante Room: Ep. 1 Odd Fellow Interview with Lucas Hess

On this episode: Ainslie Heilich interviews Lucas Hess, who is in the process of joining the Odd Fellows. He discusses his first impressions of the Odd Fellows, his reasons for wanting to join, and what he hopes to get out of the experience as a member of the LGBT community.

Ghosts of Odd Fellows Past on Camera!

Check out Heart in Hand co-founder Ainslie Heilich’s haunted Lodge/Tattoo Studio/Home when the GhostNet Paranormal Investigations team came over!

Is It Time For An Online Virtual Lodge?

Should Odd Fellowship consider starting Virtual Lodges using online video conferencing? A Virtual Lodge is a lodge that meets exclusively online using a video conferencing platform. These platforms, used worldwide by business, governments, and other organizations, allow people to check into a virtual room with other people to conduct their business. When I was first […]

“Oddball” Polar Plunge in Victoria, BC – by Billy Sanderson

And then one day, the shared Odd Fellowship took hold of them. How can we make this a way to give back to our community? Brother Drew jumped right into the topic, “I’m thinking we should get serious about a Boxing Day swim and a pledge drive… When the topic hit the Facebook group, each one of these “sticks” jumped up to form a unified “bundle” to bring life to the idea.