WHY BE AN ODD FELLOW, IS IT WORTHWHILE? While Oddfellowship does not and never has had any monopoly for the developing of those virtues, which tend to produce good, upright men and women, it does, however, provide the opportunity for them to become character, integrity and real brotherhood. But few united in a common effort to promote the building of people are able to achieve these distinctive moral qualities simply by their own efforts. Hence, to such, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the World extends the helping hand of true Fellowship so that all who may strive to find a common purpose in their lives may join together with others in serving, to the best of their ability, their GOD, their Country and their Fellowmen. We cannot of course all be Wildey's or Ridgely's: They were truly the Founders of American Odd Fellowship, but we can and should endeavor to emulate, in our daily lives, their Teachings, as well as of other of our beloved Leaders. In so doing, we shall surely become better Odd Fellows and better Citizens in the various communities wherein we make our homes and attend our Lodges. We believe that all this is indeed true for there does not exist a human being who is not dependent upon his fellowman for his very life, or who is not obligated to contribute to the extent of his or her ability, to the welfare and the happiness of his neighbors. We are prone to use "Words" as the vehicles with which to communicate our thoughts and ideas, but unless we translate them into "deeds and actions," these words themselves are empty and without any meaning. Thus it is the duty of every Odd Fellow to assist in elevating and improving the spiritual and moral qualities of those communities in which he or she lives; by always standing for truth and morality in all civic affairs; by demonstrating integrity and honesty in their business relations; by maintaining dignity and forth-rightness in their social activities; by displaying in their daily behavior those qualities of truth and justice, the characteristics of all true Odd Fellows. To the extent that we accept such responsibilities will our great Fraternity fulfill its true destiny; that of making this World a better, safer and happier one in which we and our children may live. To maintain Prestige is very important in our day and age, so let us all do our individual part to keep our Lodges and all their activities, including their degrees and other programs, upon such a high plane that all their friends and neighbors will say-"Yes, these Odd Fellows are truly trustworthy and important folks in our Town-let's support them in their civic endeavors." To the extent that we meet this challenge of our tremendous responsibility to the world at large, will our great Institution of Oddfellowship keep on giving freely of itself those Services that others may become Better Citizens for having been closely associated noble men and women Odd Fellows. 'Tis said that John Donne, the great 17th Century Poet wrote thusly: "No man is an island, entire of itself-any man's death involves me as I am a man; Never send word to know, for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." It is this uncertainty of Life that makes us sit up and listen to the Teaching of our Order for is it not because Odd Fellowship has Kept its Faith in the Fatherhood of its God, and has never forsaken its belief in the Brotherhood of Man, that its beautiful White Flag, emblazoned with the Scarlet Three Links, shines forth today as a great and wonderful Beacon, of Service to Humanity. We have many beautiful Mottos ever before us, including these: "Service Above Self, Inspires Others"; "Be Odd, Be Courteous"; "We Seek To Improve and Elevate The Character of Man" Perhaps the strangest is this one: "Always Fill The Need When We See It. Never Inquiring To What Race, Color Or Creed The One In Need Belongs. Just Relieve Them Quickly." Is it any wonder that we are called-Odd Fellows: So, let us always live our lives, Serving Others.   Frederick L. Phelps,   Past Sovereign Grand Master Source: A concise history of American Odd Fellowship 1943-1963 The Brotherhood The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was founded on the North American Continent in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 26, 1819 when Thomas Wildey and four members of the Order from England instituted Washington Lodge No. 1.  This lodge received its charter from Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England. Quest for Brotherhood Today, members proudly hail their Order for its wideranging accomplishments, and as the largest fraternity in the world under a single international leader.  Odd Fellows and their sister Rebekahs number almost a million members in the world. Our Friendly Family The busy, friendly family of Odd Fellowship embraces several degrees and organized units of the Order to give each member a wider opportunity for participation.  In addition to the Odd Fellow Lodge, Rebekah Lodge, Junior Lodge, and the Theta Rho Girls Club wa have the Encampment Degree and its Auxiliary which teach subline and useful lessons and the Patriarchs Militant and its Auxiliary which comprise the uniformed group of the Order. Step Up To Odd Fellowship Through its teaching and ceremonies, our world Order seeks to elevate the character of men and women, and thus create a more enjoyable and liveable social environment for people.  Notable at our lodge meetings are the Bible reposed on the altar and the National Flag in its standard.  These emphasize the love Odd Fellows have for God and country and affirm their covenant to abide by the laws of the civil and religious society.  Though the Order is not a religion, its doctrine proclaims that no one may become an Odd Fellow who is not faithful to God in the religion of choice and his or her country and agrees to uphold the laws of the land.  We ask those who would be members to believe in a Supreme Being.  They may worship in their own way. Order Of Good Deeds As a great fraternity, Odd Fellowship creates a brotherhood and sisterhood -- not a division of men and women.  It stimulates life in all its fullness and goodness.  Degrees are linked together to broaden the mind and elevate the character of candidates for membership. Helping Hand To Others Odd Fellows practice aid to others as a cherished precept of founder Thomas Wildey.  His immortal words command:     "Visit the Sick, Relieve the Distressed, Bury the Dead, Educate the Orphan."     Another of the Order's early leaders, Schuyler Colfax, later to become vice-president     of the United States, and author of the beautiful Rebekah ritual, enjoined members to     be   "Guardian of the Widow, and Father of the Fatherless."     Helping other is ever a mandate for our members. Adds Zest and Joy to Living Help yourself to a new way of life.  An Odd Fellow lodge is a good place to be.  And, it's lots of fun.  You'll like meeting good people, making new friends, enjoying the pleasures of new experiences.  It's where the action is in most communities.  Sports, socials, dances, and parties are all part of the active life of Odd Fellows today.    Here are some of the things we like about our Order: · Lessons of Freindship, Love and Truth; of Faith, Hope and Charity, Universal   Justice, are precepts which promote peace and harmony among men. · We are created equal, governed by the laws of our Creator.    Our obligations   teach principles which are essential to preserve our civilization in these fast   changing, teeming times. · Odd Fellowship is taught by impressive and solemn degrees.    Nothing in the   doctrine is detrimental to people of good character. · We aim to safeguard our members and families in times of sdversity and   aid those in distress. · Yearly, we spend millions of dollars for the relief of members alone.    Since   the Order was founded in 1819, financial assistance has been given more than   eight million members, including 600,0000 widowed families. · Odd Fellows and Rebekahs have adopted the Arthritis Foundation as an annual   project and contribute more than $100,000 each year to the   National Arthritis Foundation. · Our Order maintains a Hunger and Disaster Fund to assist in times of    severe natural disasters. · The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was the first fraternal organization    to adopt a degree for women and to allow them to form lodges which work    side by side with men. · Our Order is privileged to conduct a Pilgrimage each year to the Tomb    of the Unknown Soldier.    We were permitted to confer the Odd Fellows    Grand Decoration of Chivalry upon Unknown Soldiers of World War I    and II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars.