Odd Fellows International: Brief History and Overview

WHO ARE THE ODD FELLOWS? The Odd Fellows are members of one of the oldest ethical and humanitarian fraternal societies that continue to exist today. The name refers to a number of fraternal orders, friendly societies and service organizations operating in approximately 30 countries worldwide. The historical roots of these organizations date back approximately 250 years (288 years ago as of 2018). Evolving from the traditions of the medieval craft guilds, the first Odd Fellows emerged in England on or before the year 1700. The early lodges were first set up to protect and care for their members and communities at a time when there were still no social security services, national health insurance, service clubs and modern-day charity foundations. The aim was and still is to provide help to our members, our families and our communities in times of need, along with the goal of developing worldwide brotherhood and sisterhood, promoting universal peace and understanding, and improving personal character through the ethical and humanitarian principles taught in our ancient degrees of initiation.
Our branch, the “Independent Order of Odd Fellows” (I.O.O.F.), was organized on April 26, 1819, in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A., by Thomas Wildey and four Odd Fellows from England. At a time when women were still not allowed to go to school, vote for public office or join fraternal organizations, the I.O.O.F. became the first fraternal order to officially accept women when the “Rebekahs” was founded on September 20, 1851. At present, there are approximately 500,000 members in 10,000 Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges located in more than 30 countries worldwide.
GENERAL PURPOSES
To improve and elevate the character of humankind by teaching and promoting the principles of Friendship, Love, and Truth; Faith, Hope, and Charity; and Universal Justice, as exemplified in the degrees of initiation and practiced in real life.
To help make the world a better place to live by aiding each other in times of need and by volunteering in or organizing charitable activities and projects that would benefit the less fortunate, the children, the youth, the elderly, the community and the environment in every way possible guided by our ancient command: “to visit the sick, relieve the distress, bury the dead and educate the orphan”.
To promote goodwill and understanding among people and nations through the principle of universal fraternity, holding the belief that all men and women regardless of race, nationality, religion, social status, gender, rank and station are brothers and sisters.
To raise funds through membership fees, annual dues, donations, endowments, and purchase, acquire, own, rent, lease, sell, exchange, transfer and dispose properties, whether real or personal, in furtherance of the ethical, fraternal and charitable purposes; provided they show economic viability.
ODD FELLOWS INTERNATIONAL | More than 250 Years of Improving Character | Making Friends | Helping People
Video Created by: Louie Blake Saile Sarmiento
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