Odd Fellows Fraternity came into being in England sometime in the year 1700's or earlier. It is considered one of the oldest and largest fraternity in the world. At the time of industrialization in England, 'Fellows' from various 'Odd' trades gathered together and formed a fraternity to protect and care for their members and communities at a time when there was no welfare state, trade unions and National Health Insurance. They would work together to help each other and the unfortunate families back on their feet, whether it was rebuilding a barn that had burned, or putting in a new crop after a devastating season. Such helpers came to be known as "odd fellows," so named by the general population who thought they were "an odd bunch of fellows" who would behave in such a selfless and seemingly impractical fashion. This group then adopted the name.
By year 1700's, there were a number of Odd Fellows organization in England. In 1810, various Odd Fellows lodges of the London Union Order in Manchester organized an "Independent Order of Oddfellows" with the title "Manchester Unity". With their improved system they were able to persuade other Odd Fellow Lodges to join their unity. They also chartered the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in America years after founded in Baltimore, Maryland at the Seven Stars Tavern on April 26, 1819, by Thomas Wildey and some associates who were members of the fraternity in England.
On September 20, 1851, I.O.O.F became the first fraternity to accept both men and women when it formed the Daughters of Rebekah. Brother Schuyler Colfax, (Vice President of the US from 1869-1873), was the force behind the movement.
During the 'Golden Age of fraternalism', the Odd Fellows was the largest fraternal and service organization in the world. The world Almanac showed that it had over 3.4 Million active members in 1915. Moreover, Odd Fellowship, unlike many other organizations, makes no special effort to attract "name" members. Ours is a warm, personal type of affiliation that doesn't rely on "rubbing elbows" with the famous to give us satisfaction. Although non-political and non-sectarian, it also claimed many notable members which included six U.S. Presidents such as Franklin Roosevelt and Warren Harding, as well as many Senators, Governors and community leaders. Lucy Hobbs Taylor, the first female American Dentist, was also identified as member.
It continues to exist up until today with about 10, 000 lodges in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Philippines, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Internationally, it is involved in various charitable causes such as their Educational Foundation which gives scholarships annually, Arthritis Foundation, Visual Eye Research Foundation at Wilmer Eye Institute, Living Legacy program which planted more than 8 Million trees already, the United Nations Pilgrimage of the Youth which sponsors High School students on a one-week trip to the United Nations, the S.O.S. Children's Village which houses orphans and aids victims in Cambodia, etc. It has been the policy of this fraternity since its institution to do things without seeking publicity, credit, or praise. As a result of this policy, the general public is not aware of the many humanitarian accomplishments of Odd Fellowship.
Find a lodge and Join! If you can't find a lodge close to you contact me and we'll help you START a lodge! The benefits outweigh the work, and the work is rewarded by helping your fellowmen!
International website: www.ioof.org
International e-mail: iooftheSGL@bellsouth.net
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The Independent Order of Odd Fellows are dedicated to improving and elevating the character of mankind by imparting the principles of friendship, love and truth and making the world a better place to live by aiding the community, the less fortunate, the youth, the elderly, the environment and the community at large in every way possible
IOOF1819 1 year ago
Currently, Odd Fellows have over 12,000 lodges and some 600,000 members in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Other Odd Fellows group also exists in Scotland and in the Bahamas, etc.
IOOF1819 1 year ago