The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a fraternal order that aims to provide a framework that promotes personal and social development. Currently, it represents an international social club and charitable network, with lodges established across more than 30 countries.
During times of ease, an Odd Fellows lodge is a place for fun, socialization, building life-skills, and community development. During times of trouble, it provides aid, safety, support, and resources for its members.
Odd Fellows strive to better the world we live in and each others’ lives. This sentiment is embodied in our motto, “to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan.” You can read more about our philosophies by visiting The Sovereign Grand Lodge website.
History
Fraternal orders are a very old type of social networking system that rose to popularity in England around the 1700’s, supposedly growing out of the craft guilds and journeyman associations of the prior medieval ages. But unlike guilds, fraternal orders could form around any shared purpose, and weren’t limited to merchants or artisans of the same trade.
The Odd Fellows were especially unique because anyone from any trade or background could join, be they rich or poor, skilled or unskilled, young or old.
Early Odd Fellows lodges appeared to serve two main functions. The first was to help people find work using the network of the lodge-system. If a member from a small town wanted to find a job, he could consult his lodge for opportunities. If he didn’t find a job that suited him, the order would support him in traveling from lodge-to-lodge until he found a job that did.
The second function was to act as a social venue and provide simple benefits. Early lodges worked like box clubs, in which members contributed a small amount of money to a greater lodge fund, which was then used to run the lodge, provide social activities, and assist members in times of need.
As time went on, the Odd Fellows branched into four different organizations. These were:
- Grand United Order of Oddfellows, est. 1798
- Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity, est. 1810
- Independent Order of Odd Fellows, est. 1819
- Caledonian Order of Odd Fellows, est. 1827
The I.O.O.F. we have today was founded by Thomas Wildey and four other members on April 26, 1819. It was mainly due to Wildey’s personal and tireless efforts that I.O.O.F. lodges propagated across the United States. The Odd Fellows established some of the first orphanages, nursing homes, and cemeteries in the nation, and additionally provided sickness and death benefits for members. If a member passed away, his lodge would see that his surviving family was cared for.
Membership to the Order steadily grew during the 19th and early 20th centuries. By the year 1921, the I.O.O.F. had more than 1.9 million active members across its 16,986 active lodges. However, this “golden age of fraternalism” ended when then the Great Depression took a toll on the nation, which impacted people’s ability to maintain their memberships. The Odd Fellow and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt brought reformations via the New Deal as a means to combat the major economic downturn. Some of the programs he introduced, including the Social Security System, were modeled after older I.O.O.F. benefits programs.
But as a result of these benefits being provided by the government and other institutions, membership to the I.O.O.F. has steadily declined in the 21st century. During times when its other social services are not required, the I.O.O.F. operates as a social club and a charitable organization.
For a more comprehensive overview of this history, visit The Sovereign Grand Lodge’s website.
